Author: Rhys Gregory

Church congregations in Bangor are so concerned with the resulting hardships of the pandemic in their local community they have partnered with a charity to offer free, professional debt help. Members of Mosaic Church Bangor, amongst others, wanted to better serve people living with the pressure of debt and got in touch with UK debt help charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP). After much fundraising, the new Menai Debt Centre is already open but will host it’s official Launch on the 10th October 2021, offering free debt help. Church Leader, Kevin Mundy, said: “Debt stress can be so destructive. It affects…

A care practitioner with a lifelong passion for running is summoning up all her energy to help buy a life-changing body suit for a little girl battling an incurable disease. Evelyn Dimatulac, 44, who works for the Pendine Park care organisation in Wrexham was spurred into action by the desperate plight of three year old Nova Martin-Roxburgh. She will be running running 50 laps of the entire 12-acre site – which equates to a distance just short of a full marathon – on a date yet to be decided in October. All the sponsorship money she raises from the feat…

To help Denbighshire County Council shape support to businesses across the county, a survey has been launched this week. The Council is asking businesses how it can improve and enhance its support following the Covid-19 pandemic. All the information collected will assist the Council in focusing on which support areas we can improve on or adapt to the changing needs of businesses as we move forward out of the pandemic. The Council is calling on all local businesses to highlight factors including how trade has gone for them in the last 18 months, the impact of the pandemic, how they…

A Rhondda Cynon Taf business, VST Groups is poised to create up to ten new jobs following the purchase of two service station sites, thanks to a seven-figure funding package from HSBC UK. Since acquiring the first site at Efail Isaf Stores in 2016, VST Groups has grown the portfolio to include an additional six sites, five of which were funded with the support of HSBC UK. The latest purchase adds the 1,350 sq. ft. Towy service station, near Carmarthen, and the 1,040 sq. ft. Pensarnau services, near Newcastle Emlyn. The properties were previously owned by long-standing proprietors Kiran and…

The Welsh Government’s public transport information service, Traveline Cymru, has introduced a range of new services within its business service division allowing its corporate customers and their staff members to plan their return journeys to work with ease. Traveline Cymru, which is a part of umbrella organisation PTI Cymru, has launched a number of initiatives including TravelineCymru+, updated Train the Trainer sessions, a new journey planning widget, as well as engaging marketing collateral all aimed specifically at those making the switch from travelling by car, to public transport following the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst Traveline Cymru’s suite of services already provide…

There’s never been a better time to enjoy and support local food and drink. And there’s never been a better time to enjoy the delicious range of produce at Haverfordwest Farmers Market! Held every Friday between 9am and 2pm at Castle Square, the market now hosts more than 20 stallholders selling fresh, local, seasonal produce from Pembrokeshire and its borders. Produce includes seasonal vegetables and fruit, award-winning beef, pork and lamb, with organic choices, farm-fresh fish and poultry, sourdough and other home-made breads, farmhouses cheeses, home-made cakes and conserves and much more – as well as beautiful cut flowers, soft…

Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet has recommended placing a 100 per cent Council Tax premium on second homes, and to retain the current 100 per cent empty homes premium. The county currently has the second highest rate of second or empty homes and long term empty homes in Wales and in 2017 the Council introduced a 50 per cent Council Tax premium on second homes and a premium of up to 100 per cent on long term empty homes. Reducing the number of second homes and long term empty homes is seen as desirable as increasing the supply of affordable housing…

More than 2,800 workers have helped build the Copr Bay phase one development so far since construction began back in 2019. Together, they’ve clocked up over 722,000 hours of work, with figures showing 77% of the workers are from Wales. The £135m Copr Bay phase one district includes the 3,500-capacity Swansea Arena, the 1.1-acre coastal park, the new bridge over Oystermouth Road, new spaces for leisure and hospitality businesses, and new car parking facilities. Swansea Council is developing the district, supported by development manager RivingtonHark. Construction of the district – being led by Buckingham Group Contracting – will be complete later this…

During August the scheme funded by Swansea Council saw bus use soar by more than 50% with more than 220,000 passengers taking advantage. Now it’s back for both weekends of half-term, starting on Saturday, October 23, for three consecutive days and again from Friday, October 29 for three consecutive days. Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said feedback on the summer stage of the initiative had been extremely positive and some of the busiest routes operated on Gower saw passenger numbers increase by up to 65%. He said: We launched #FreeRideSwansea to help families and businesses as they emerged from…

A grant fund worth more than £100,000 has been awarded to Neath Port Talbot Council to support community organisations helping to tackle food poverty. Known as the Food Poverty Grant, charities and voluntary organisations can apply for capital and revenue funding to address issues concerning food poverty or help to address the cause of food poverty. Capital funding can be used to support organisations to access, store and distribute food supplies including food surplus and storing fresh food. For example, the purchasing of fridges, freezers, cooking equipment or IT equipment that helps to deal with referrals from customers. Revenue funding…